UNN initiated settlement moves in Nnaji’s case, aide says

By Edith Nwapi

An aide to Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology has said it was University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) that initiated out-of-court settlement moves in an academic records dispute.

Dr Robert Ngwu spoke on Tuesday while reacting to reports that Nnaji or his legal team sought settlement at Monday’s proceedings.

Ngwu said court proceedings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa showed that UNN and other respondents initiated the move, not Nnaji or his counsel.

He said respondents’ counsel, led by Chris Uche, approached Nnaji’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun, for amicable resolution.

Ngwu added that Nnaji’s team only acknowledged the approach and sought adjournment to consider the proposal.

“At no time did Nnaji initiate settlement talks. Court records clearly support this,” Ngwu said.

He said the court declined respondents’ application to regularise processes filed out of time, pending settlement outcome.

The case was adjourned until July 8, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

Nnaji in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, sued the Minister of Education, NUC, UNN and Ortuanya as 1st to 4th respondents.

He also joined the Registrar of UNN, Ujam and the Senate of the university as 5th and 7th respondents respectively.

He sought the leave to issue a prerogative writ of mandamus compelling the university and its officials to release his academic transcript to him.

He equally asked the Minister of Education and NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to compel UNN to do so.

He further sought an interim injunction restraining UNN and its official from tampering with his academic records pending the determination of the substantive suit, among others.

The 3rd to 7th respondents in the preliminary objection, prayed the court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction.
(NAN)